What does it take to be a Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week? It's not just about grades or athletic ability. It takes a well-rounded individual that excels in the classroom and the community.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Dakota News Now have joined together to recognize the achievements of high school seniors throughout the region. "Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week" has been celebrating the achievements of high school seniors since 2002. Recipients are highly motivated high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. This program was founded on the four pillars of Touchstone Energy: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and a Commitment to Community. For more information on the program please call your local Touchstone Energy cooperative.
If there are outstanding seniors in your school that you would like to recognize, please nominate them here.
This Week's Scholar
Ashlyn Koupal
Wagner High School
Ashlyn will be featured on Dakota News Now during the 6:00PM news on Monday, December 15 and again on the Dakota News Now morning news on Tuesday, December 16 between 6:00AM and 7:00AM.
Nicole Thomes
March 6, 2016 - March 12, 2016
- School
- Brandon Valley High School
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- National Honor Society, Serve And Learn Student Association (SALSA), and volunteer at Avera McKennan.
Nicole Thomes is from Brandon, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Sydney Bormann
February 28, 2016 - March 5, 2016
- School
- Parkston
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Golf, Church Youth Group, National Honor Society
Sydney Bormann is from Parkston, SD, located within Southeastern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Tasha Determan
February 21, 2016 - February 27, 2016
- School
- Hanson
- GPA
- 4
- Activities
- Chorus, Visual Arts, Oral Interp, National Honor Society
Tasha Determan is from Alexandria, SD, located within Central Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Austin Arends
February 14, 2016 - February 20, 2016
- School
- Tri-Valley High School
- GPA
- 3.878
- Activities
- Student Council(their projects: Veterans Day Progrm, Food Drive, Blood Drive, Homecoming, Carnation Sales and Calendar Sales) Teens Encountering Christ, Youth Group and National Honor Society.
Austin Arends is from Baltic, SD, located within Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Kyla Schuster
February 7, 2016 - February 13, 2016
- School
- Webster Area High School
- GPA
- 3.7
- Activities
- Websster Area FFA Chapter President Student Council Reporter Senior Class Secretary Webster Area FFA Chapter Secretary Robotics Club Oral Interp SADD 4-H
Kyla Schuster is from Roslyn, SD, located within Lake Region Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Allison Tschetter
January 31, 2016 - February 6, 2016
- School
- Doland High School
- GPA
- 3.784
- Activities
- Student Council President, FCCLA chapter President, Volleyball, Basketball,Volunteer for Special Olympics Basketall
Allison Tschetter is from Doland, SD, located within Northern Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Morgan Carmody
January 24, 2016 - January 30, 2016
- School
- Elkton High School
- GPA
- 3.98
- Activities
- Volleyball Basketball Track National Honor Society Band Choir
Morgan Carmody is from Lake Benton, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Margaret Thares
January 17, 2016 - January 23, 2016
- School
- Ipswich
- GPA
- 4.161
- Activities
- Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Tiger Paw Tutoring, Basketball,
Margaret Thares is from IPSWICH, SD, SD, located within FEM Electric Association, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Thomas Fischer
January 10, 2016 - January 16, 2016
- School
- Marshall High School (Marshall, MN)
- GPA
- 3.81
- Activities
- Football, Basketball, Baseball, National Honor Society, Student Rotarian, Link Crew, PBIS, Marshall Acts, FCA, Intramurals
Thomas Fischer is from Marshall, MN, located within Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Talitha Greaver
January 3, 2016 - January 9, 2016
- School
- Yankton High School
- GPA
- 4.1
- Activities
- National Honor Society (Vice President); Debate (President); Oral Interpretation Team; Orchestra (Viola Section Leader); Editor of "The Cellar Door" (YHS literary magazine); YHS Young Republicans; Roll of Excellence; dance student at Green Room Dance Studio; black belt in taekwondo; various community volunteer activities - Sunday School teacher, head of NHS Arikara Chapter fundraising board for Homeless Shelter expansion project, volunteer for blanket and book driver; National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist.
Talitha Greaver is from Yankton, SD, located within Bon Homme-Yankton Electric Assn., a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.